For Lack Of A Better Word Poem by William Cavanagh

I am reminded everyday
Of the swine that
Inhabit the earth
As I walk
The downtown area of
Donetsk Ukraine
I witness
The majority of the ethnic
Russian male population who
Openly spit huge
Volumes of saliva
On the street for all
To see and enjoy
They are not shy

I observe the filthy habits
Of smokers who
Walk and talk with
Cigarettes dangling from
Their “gubba”
This appears to be in fashion.

Cigarette butts are thrown
Onto the streets and into
Public buildings, routinely
Vodka is drank openly
On the streets and garbage
Is discarded randomly and
Regularly for all to see and
Enjoy

The “moosheenas” as they are called
Do not hold doors for women
They rarely use the words
“Eezvaneetia” (Excuse me) and never
Move for elderly people

I complain to my partner
Continuously about
The swine that walk
This earth

But then
She reminds me
Swine do not spit on streets
Only people do

Swine do not flick cigarettes or
Blow smoke in your face
Only people do

And she also
Reminds me that
Swine do not throw
Vodka bottles or
Garbage on the streets or
In the parks
Only people do

I say they are swine but
I may be wrong as
Swine behave better

Some say this is culture
Some say this is people
I say bull! Swine!
For lack of a better word